Pages

January 12, 2009

Rice Elected To Hall Of Fame

Jim Rice was elected to the Hall of Fame today by the BBWAA. He was listed on 412 ballots (76.4%), seven more than the minimum necessary. It was Rice's 15th and final chance at being elected by the BBWAA.

Unlike most Red Sox fans, I never cared very much if Rice was in the Hall or not. From what I've read over the years, his performance did not seem to warrant election, and most of the pro-Rice arguments tended to be more subjective and less fact-based. That is irrelevant now.

I'm glad to see Jim Rice in. I've read reasonable arguments both ways, but what tilted me in favor was meeting a former major league pitcher from the same era who told me Rice was the most feared hitter pitchers faced (in the AL) in his prime.

Good for Rice - I would not argue with those who say that he is a borderline Hall of Fame player (and, given the vote, it's an accurate statement), but it's good to see a Red Sox "lifer" get recognized for his efforts on the field of play.

I see the Hit Dog only received six votes (1.1 percent) - I don't believe that's much of a surprise, is it?

He's not the best choice, but I can't quite wrap my head around the very violent opposition that the baseballprospectus/SABR contingent has to it. He's a below-average hall of fame left fielder, but he's better than a number of left fielders, and he's one of the two or three best players at his position from his era. Honestly, I wouldn't vote for him, but I don't understand why people are so upset about it.

Is there a poll (not just an online poll) out there measuring popular opinion on his HOF worthiness?

I just checked out ESPN.com and there is a SportsNation poll which has Rice receiving 71% of the vote in favor of him making the Hall (based on over 5,000 entries). Another poll has Henderson receiving 79% of the vote in favor (based on over 20,000 entries).